Aelia slept through the entire drive. Felix was more rested, and except for an hour nap in the middle of the day, he drove until they arrived. They were far from their old Safe House, far from Mercy Medical Center and far from everyone they knew. But still, Aelia nearly jumped out of her seat when she woke up and saw where they were.
«Are you okay? Do you know this place?»
She smiled at Felix to calm him. «I'm okay, it's just... It's pretty close to the Mansion.»
«Oh! Yeah, pretty close, but...»
«I know, I won't meet them, it'll be okay.»
«And even if you did, you're free now. You can do whatever the fuck you want.»
«That's right!» she giggled. She stretched in her seat and realized she was starving.
«Dinner?» Felix suggested.
«Dinner!»
Over some incredible Indian food, they talked and laughed for a while, before even getting close to serious topics. Finally, Aelia broke the barrier.
«Where will we go so that you could see him?»
«He works at the hospital down the road,» Felix said, a little nervousness evident in his voice.
«Really? What does he do?»
«He's a doctor.»
«A doctor? Like me?»
«Yeah. I'm sorry I didn't tell you once I knew you were a doctor too.»
«It's okay,» she smiled quickly. «What kind of doctor?»
«He used to prefer working in the ER,» Felix hesitated. «I'm not sure what his exact title was, he didn't like to talk about things that made him look superior to me.»
«Oh. That... sounds nice.»
«Yeah, he was good, most of the time.»
«What were his worst sides? He can't have been all good, can he?»
«No, he was insufferably stubborn. Worse than any child. And he spent far too much time at the gym. He didn't care about food, he only made sure to get his vitamins and proteins, and... he said he loved me, but not once did he tell or show anyone else that he loved me. It was only behind closed doors that I got to see the sensitive man he really was. He always wanted to be so tough and strong... But he had a soft heart, really.»
«How many slaves did he have?»
«Only me. It was just the two of us, most of the time. Sometimes his horrible family would visit, and those were the worst times, but other than that... we were fine on our own.»
«Did he bring friends over? Did you get to meet them?»
«Yeah, he did, but he mostly wanted me out of the way. I used to just stay in our room reading or something. Or cooking in the kitchen.»
«You were like a housewife?»
«Yeah,» he huffed. «Only he hid me.»
«Was he embarrassed to have a slave?»
«He might have been, I don't know. I didn't ask, because I didn't want to know the answer to that question.»
«So... He said he loved you?»
«Yes.»
«Did you believe him?»
Felix stared at the table for a while before nodding. «Yeah,» he breathed.
«Did you love him back?»
Felix didn't say anything for a while, and when he finally looked back up at Aelia, he had tears in his eyes.
«I know I shouldn't. He was my master, and I was his slave. But he had such a beautiful heart, and when it was just the two of us... He was the kindest, most attentive man. Also, a little demanding, but in a very... good way.»
Aelia dared smile a little when Felix blushed.
«I really miss him, I know that much,» Felix admitted. «And I kinda want to see how it feels to just see him again. If I can. Do you think it's a bad idea?»
«It's not for me to say if it's a bad idea or not. If you feel you need to, let's just do it. It might make it harder, but you already know that so... I don't need to tell you.»
«I might regret it, but yeah... Should we wait till tomorrow?»
«No, why?» Aelia said, and Felix sighed with relief.
«Thank god, I just couldn't stand waiting any longer.»
Aelia chuckled at her beloved friend's confession. «Let's find out if he works in the ER tonight.»
Felix was in awe watching her confidence when Aelia just walked into the reception at the ER. The nurse behind the desk asked what she could do for her, and Aelia flashed her medical ID.
«Dr Bell. Is dr Seo working tonight?»
«I believe he went off duty a couple of hours ago, but it wouldn't surprise me if he's still around.»
Aelia giggled as if she knew exactly what the nurse was talking about.
«Could you page him, please?»
«Of course,» the sweet nurse smiled.
«Thank you!»
Aelia had turned to look at Felix. He was partially hiding behind some plants at the other end of the reception when she saw his eyes widen. He was looking at something behind her. Aelia heard a voice.
«Stella, did you page me? I was just leaving,» he told the nurse.
«Sorry, Changbin, dr Bell here asked me if we could check if you were still around.»
Aelia turned on her heels and looked back at the two talking.
She felt the blood drain from her head, she felt dizzy as the man turned and looked at her. He used a few moments longer than her, tilting his head and frowning. She had connected the dots as soon as she heard his name. Changbin. Felix's former master was dr Seo Changbin, or Binnie as Seonghwa usually had called him.
YOU ARE READING
Take Me Home // Ateez // Stray Kids
FanfictionAfter an unexpected escape from the Mansion, Aelia finds herself in a Safe House. Who is a friend and who has alternate motives? And what do the butterflies have to do with it? As a former slave, life looks empty. Aelia has to find her way in life...
